Quilting-machine



5 Sheets-Sheet 1..

(No Model.)

F. L. PALMER.

QUILTING MACHINE.

Patented Mar. 17, 1891.

Im Mll- 5 sheets-sheet 2j (No Model.)

F. L. PALME-R. QUILTING MACHINE.

No. 448,253. Patented Mer. 17,1891.

77"' Inwaf.;

@www VM .me Nunms razas co., PHoravLn-Hu., wAsvmNuroN, n. z:A

(No Model.) 5 Smets-sheet 3.

F. L. PALMER. QUILTING MACHINE.

Patented Mar. 17, 1891.

(No Model.)

5 Sheets-Sheet 4. F. L. PALMER. QUILTING MACHINE.

No. 448,253. Patented Mar. 1'7,A 1891.

#du e 5 Sheets-Sheet 5.

(N Model.)

F. L. PALMER. QUILTING MACHINE.

NimhV drames aimait vrinden.

FRANK L. PALMER, OF NFV LONDON, CONNECTICUT.

QUILTINGWEVIACl-IINE.

SPECFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 448,253, dated March1'7, 1891.

Application filed .Tune 13,1884. Serial No. 184,735. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, FRANK L. PALMER., of New London, in the county-of.New London and State of Connecticut, have invented a new and usefulImprovement in Machines for Sewing and Quilting Fabrics, of which thefollowing is a specification.

The invention consists in novel combinations of parts hereinafterdescribed, and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a partly sectional elevationof a machine embodying my invention and in which the pattern rack ortrack is arranged in cylindric form. Fig. 2 is an irregular transverseseclion of the machine on the dotted line a? cc, Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is alongitudinal section of a machine embodying my invention and in whichthe pattern rack or track is arranged upon a flat board or plate. Fig. Ais a transverse vertical section of the machine, shown in Fig. 3 uponthe plane of the irregular dotted line y y,'Fig. 3. Fig. 5 represents abelt or band which may be used to secure the edge of the fabric upon theannular rotary frame around which the fabric is laid; and Fig. (i is apartly sectional elevation similar to Fig. 1 of a machine embodying aslight modification of my invention, and in which the fabric-support isrotated while the sewing-machine is moved longitudinally of thecylindric fabric. Similar letters of reference designate correspondingparts in all the iigures.

The machines shown in the drawings differ from each other only in thearrangement of the pattern mechanism, and a description of other partswill apply equally to all the inachines. i

The sewingnnachine shown in Figs. 1 and 3 is stationary, and has longupper and lower arms A A. Through the upper arm A extends theoperating-shaft a of the machine, provided at one end with a pulley a',around which a driving-belt may pass, and at its other end connectedwith and serving to operate the needle-bar a2.

At the end of the lower arm A is a work plate or table a3,in which isarranged for operation a shuttle, looper, or other stitclrforming deviceof any well-known and suitable kind. The stitch-forming device isoperated by the shaft ai, extending along the lower I have here shownthe sewing-machine as supported from above. Near each end of the upperarm A are cast brackets orlugs b, from which extend stay rods or bracesb', and an intermediate and vertical column or strut b2.

The rods or braces b diverge rapidly upward and are to be secured tosuitablehangers upon the overhead beams of the room wherein the machinesare used. In order to still further strengthen the suspension devices, Iconnect the two columns or struts b2 by a tie-rod or stretcher (Shown inFigs. 1 and 31.)

I employ a carriage consisting of a rectangular frame composed of endpieces or sills B and side pieces B', and on the latter aresupporting-wheels Bwhich run upon the tracks or ways c, extending`lengthwise of the machine. On the carriage-frame B B are erectedstandards B3, and in bearings d at their top is mounted a shaft or rodC, which may be turned by a hand-wheel d. On the shaft or rod C, nearopposite ends, are screw-threads c c of reversed pitch, which are fittedto nuts formed in the hubs of non-rotary skeleton frames or spiders D.The arms fof these frames or spiders carry rollers f having their axesradial to the shaft C, and proj ections f* from the arms f carry otherfriction-rollersfg.

The frames or spiders D are provided with means to prevent theirrotation, and the means here shown consist of pins g, extending outwardfrom said frames and fitting holes or guides in the staiida1dsl3", asshown in Fig. 1.

The non-rotary frames or spiders D are each surrounded by a rotaryannular frame or rim E, which is supported and free to rotate upon therollers f f2. These, which constitute a cylindrical fabric-support,comprise eylindric surfaces h, on which the opposite edges of, a fabricF are laid, and, as here shown, each surface z. has in it a V-sliapedseat formed by a groove 71.. G designates a V-shaped belt IOO fitted tosaid seat and capable of being strapped tightly around the frame orrimand secured by a buckle (shown in Fig. 5) or other fastening device.

Each frame or rotary ri m Elias or may have a belt G fitted to it, andafter the opposite edges of the fabric F are laid around the cylindricsurfaces h they are belted snugly thereto. In lieu of the belts or bandsG the said surfaces ZL may be provided with tenter-pins or other holdingdevices. The rollersf bear on the inner side of the inwardly-projectingiiangej, (here shown as bolted to the other portion of the frame orrotary rim E, and having its exterior spur toothed so as to constituteagear-wheel.) After the Opposite edges of the fabric F are secured uponthe cylindric surfaces Zt of the rotary frames or rims E the screw-shaftC is turned to move the skeleton non-rolary frames or spiders D awayfrom each other, and the rollers f acting on the rotary frames or rims,also separate them, and thus elongate the fabric-support and hold thefabric taut and in cylindric or tubular form.

I Will now describe the pattern mechanism shown in Figs. l and 2.

H designates a cylinder arranged to rotate in the carriage B B 32 B3below the rotary fabric-support. At its ends are spur-wheels I, whichare shown as of the same size as the spur-wheels j, and gear into thelatter. The wheels I have quite broad faces, so that when thefabric-support is elongated, as above described, the wheelsj will stillbe in engagement with the wheels I. As here shown, the wheels I are fastupon each end of the cylin- V der H and the latter is journaled on anonrotary bolt or shaft H', cxtendinglengthwise of the carriage. Uponthe cylinder is formed or secured a rack or track 7a in pattern form,which I may form by driving pins into the cylinder, and adjacent to saidrack or track extends a groove or guide Zt.

J designates a pinion, arranged radially to the aXis of the cylinder Hand mounted on a radial shaft J as shown in Fig. 2. The shaft J has abearing in a standard Z, and is rotated through a worm-wheel Z and wormZ2 by a shaft J2, extending lengthwise of the cylinder H, and providedwith pulleys' Z3 Z", as shown in Fig. l. At the inner end of the shaft Jis a pin or tracker m, Which enters the groove or guide Zt in thecylinder and so holds the track or rack Zt and pinion J in properrelation for operation. IV hen a rotary motion is imparted to thepinion, the latter forms a positively-operating engaging device, gearinginto the rack and causing the cylinder to follow the course of thepattern rack or track. The cylinder being free to rotate and thecarriage being free to move lengthwise of the cylinder, a universalmovement may be imparted to any point on the cylindric surface, and asthe cylinder and fabric-support are geared together th-e change inrelative position of the fabric and needle will exactly correspondthereto.

In Yorder that the pinion J may be disengaged from the pattern rack ortrack, if so desired, I connect the shaft J and wormwheel Z by a featheror spline and groove *2, so that the shaft may slide through theWormwheel to enable it to be moved back to free the pinion J and pin mfrom the pattern rack and guide Zt Zt. J is a set-screw m', and in theshaft are two annular grooves i if. NVhen the shaft is in the positionshow-n in Fig. 2, the set-screw m enters the groove 2 and vholds theshaft against outward movement. When the shaft is shifted to withdrawthe pinion from the rack Zt, the screw m may be tightened up to cause itto enter the groove 2", and so hold the pinion and pin J m out ofengagement with the pattern rack and guide Zt Zt.

Instead of arranging the pattern rack or track in the form of acylinder, I may arrange it upon a flat board or plate H2, which I haveshown in Figs. 3 and 4, to which I now refer. The pattern board or plateH2 is fitted 'to slideways n at opposite ends of the carriage B B, thesaid slideways being formed by upper and lower rollers n n2 andedgerollers n2, which are mounted in suitable frames or housings n andsecured to the parts B of the carriage. Opposite edges of the patternboard or plate I-I2 are guided by these systems of rollers, and theplate or board is thus enabled to move in a horizontal plane withoutdanger of canting.

On the pattern board or plate H2 near each end are straight racks 0,which gear into the wheelsj and thus impart a rotary movement to thefabric-support from the rectilineal sliding movement of the patternboard or plate H2.

Iu the bearing of the shaft- IOC IIO

ion J, engaging with the pattern-rack, and a pin m engaging with theguide Za. The lower end of the shaft 02 carries a pulley 03, which is toreceive a driving-'belt from any suitable outside shaft arranged inlixed bearings. The shaft 02 is held up by a spring 04, applied betweenthe pinion and bearing J o', and when desired the'shaft may be pulleddown against the force of this spring to lower the pinion and pin J mout of engagement with rack and guide Za Zt. The side sills B of thecarriage are cut away at p to permit the pattern board or plate to passover them.

From the above description it will be understoodthat the fabric-supporthere shown constitutes a carriage capable of rotation in eitherdirection, and that this rotation is in a plane perpendicular to theplane of rectilineal movement of the carriage B B B2 B3. Neither ofthese two carriages has a definite or determined movement, but both areleft free, and hence the speed of either may be increased or decreasedor stopped altogether relatively to the other and at any point in itstravel. The support on which opposite edges of the fabric are secu rednot. only has a rotary movement, but being mounted in therectilinearly-moving carriage it has a bodily movement lengthwise of itsaxis.

An important advantage of the non-rotary spider D at that end of therotary fabric-carriage on which the sewiiig-machiiie is placed is thatit enables the rotary frame or rim to receive within it the lower arm ofthe niachine without interfering with the turning of said frame or rim.Of course the arms of the sewing-machine will never extend beyond therotary 'frame or rim at the righthand of Figs. l and 3, and hence thefabric-support at that end need not necessarily have a non-rotary spiderand a surrounding rotary rim or frame, but might be differentlyconstructed.

In Fig. C I have represented a partly-sectional elevation similar toFig. l, and in which the change in relative position between the fabricand the needle of the sewing-machine in directions transverse to eachother is produced by the rotary motion of the fabric-support without anylengthwise movement of said support, and by the movement of thesewing-machine itself in a direction lengthwise of the fabric-supportand cylindric fabric.

In Fig. G the construction of the fabric-support or rotary carriage,whereby the fabi-ic is' held in cylindric form and rotated, is similarto that before described; but the uprights or standards B3, in which theshaft C is journaled, are stationary, and wheels I, which are fast uponthe shaft H', engage with the spurwheels j and rotate the rims orannular frames E. The sewing-machine has rollers or wheels d, which runupon atrack ai, and the pattern drum or cylinder H is not arrangedimmediately beneath the cylindric fabric, as described with reference toFig, l, but is arranged beyond the end thereof, and has a slidingconnection with the shaft Il', to which it is locked by a spline or keyentering a groove q in the shaft. The shaft is supported at its outerend in a fixed bearing h5, and the pattern-drum is mounted in a carriagewhich has wheels or rollers B2 ruiming upon a track c.

The construction of the pattern-drum H, with its rack 7i: and grooves t,and the pinion J upon the shaft J, which engages the rack 7c and thegroove 71;', is the same as before described with reference to Fig. l,and said pinion J is-rotated by a worm Z2 upon the shaft J2 engaging aworm-wheel Z upon the shaft J.

The carriage B is connected by an arm BG with the sewing-machine A A',and from the above description it will be understood that when thepattern-drum or cylinder I-I has a simple rotary motion imparted to itsuch rotary motion will be transmitted ,through the shaft I-I and wheelsI to the rotary fabric-carriage composed of the frames E. Thendirectly-longitudinal motion of the patterndrum l-I is produced by thepinion J, the carriage B will run along` the track c and thepattern-drum will slide upon the shaft II',

and through the arm Il will shift the sewinginachine lengthwise of thecylindric fabric F. Either of these movements to the fabric or to lthesewing-machine take place separately or conjointly, according to theforni of' the pattern upon the drum or cylinder Il.

It will be observed that in the example of my invention shown in Figs. land 2 the cylindric fabric is in a carriage, which is movable lengthwiseof the cylindric fabric, and in Fig. (l such lengthwise movement isiinparte'd to the sewing-machine, and the cylind ric fabric has only arotary motion.

By the term cylindric fabric, as used herein, I mean to include thearrangement of fabric either in the form of a complete cylinder or inthe form of a greater or less are of a circle, and the frames or rims E,to Awhich the fabric is secured, are always of cylindrical form, whetherthey be completely circular or in a greater or less arc of a circle, itbeing always my intention to hold the fabric in the machine so thatit issusceptible of receiving rotary motion, as can a cylinder or arc-shapedbody.

That I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent,is-

l. The combination of a cylindric fabricl support, a sewing-machinehaving its arms extending in a direction corresponding with the axiallength of said support, and a carriage upon which one of said parts issupported and which is movable in a direction parallel with the axis ofsaid support, substantially as and for the purpose herein set forth.

2. The combination, with a cyliiidric fabricsupport, of a sewing-machinehaving its arms extending in a direction corresl'ionding with the axiallength of said support, a carriage on which one of said parts issupported, and a pattern acting on said carriage, substantially as andfor the purpose specified.

The combination, with a cylindric fabricsupport comprising two separateframes having a common axis and securing devices upon said frames,whereby a fabric may be secured so as to present a curved surface, of asewing-machine having its arms extended lengthwise of said support, acarriage acting on one of said parts to impart movement thereto, apattern acting on said carriage, and a positively-operating engagingdevice acting on said pattern, substantiallyas and for the pur posespecified.

4. The combination, with a cylindric fabricsupport and securing devicesat or near its edges, whereby a fabric may be secured so as to present acurved surface, of a normally IOC non-rotating screw c, a nut engagingsaid screw, whereby the said supportniay be extended axially, aiid asewing-machine for operating on the fabric, substantially as hereindescribed.

5. The combination, with a cylindric fabricly-operating engaging device,as wheel J, en-

support and securing devices at or near its edges,whereby a fabric maybesecured so as to present a curved surface, of a sewing-machine havingarms which extend lengthwise of the said fabric-support for operatingupon the fabric, a pattern-track connected with said rotaryfabric-support for controlling its movement, and a positively-operatingengaging device, as wheel J, for engaging said track, substantially asherein described.

G. The combination, with a cylindric fabriesupport having securingdevices at or near its edges, whereby a fabric may be secured so as topresent a curved surface, of a sewing-machine having its arms extending1lengthwise of the fabric-support for operating on the fabric, a carriagefor one of said parts, supports for said carriage permitting motion in adirection lengthwise of the fabric-support, a pattern-track connectedwith said carriage for controlling its movements, and a positivegagingwith said track, substantially as specified.

7. The combination, with a sewing-machine, of a cyliudric fabric-supportto which fabric may be secured and by which it may be rotated, a patternfor controlling the movements of said support, comprising a track inpattern form geared with the said support, and a positively-operatingengaging device, as wheel J, acting on said track, substantially as4herein described.

8. The combination,with asewing-machine and a fabric-support, of apattern mechanism for controlling the relative position of thesewing-machine needle and fabric, consisting of a track arran ged inApattern form, anda positively-operating engaging device, as wheel J,acting upon said track, and a carriage upon which said pattern -track ismounted and moved by the said engaging device in planes transverse toeach other, substantially as herein described.

9. The combination, with two frames or spiders, one of which isnon-rotary, and a screw engaging with one of them for moving it towardand from the other, of annular ro- I tary franjies or rims mounted onsaid frames or spiders and on which a fabric may be secured lin curvedform, and a sewing-machine having its arms extending lengthwise of thefabric for operating thereon, substantially as herein described.

10. The combination, with the shaft C, having reversed screw-threads e,of the non-rotary spiders D, provided with rollers f f2, the rotaryframes E, fitted to and supported by said rollers, and a sewing-machine,the lower arm A of which extends below or within the frame E above thesaid shaft C, substantially as herein described.

ll. The combina-tion, with a cylindric fabric--support provided. withsecuring devices at or near its edges, whereby a fabric may be supportedso as to present a curved surface, of a sewing-machine the lower arm ofwhich enters the fabric-support, a carriage comprising bearings for saidrotary support, and movable lengthwise of said support, a patterncomprising a track in pattern form movable on said carriage and gearedwith the rotary support, and a positively-operating engaging device, aswheel J, acting upon the pattern-track and serving to produce themovements of the pattern and the said support and carriage,substantially as herein described.

l?. The combination, with a cylindric fabric-support, of securingdevices atl or nearits edges, whereby a fabric may be secured so as topresent a curved surface, a trackin pattern form, constructed in theform of a cylinder and geared with the fabric-support., a carriagewhereon said rotary fabric-support and pattern-cylinder are journaledand movable lengthwise of said pattern-cylinder, a positivelyoperatingengaging device, as wheel J, acting upon the pattern-track, and asewing-machine the lower arm of which enters the cylindricfabric-support lengthwise thereof, substantially as hereindescribed.

FRANK L. PALMER. lVitnesses:

C. HALL, MATTHEW PoLLoox.

